Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Pre-64 model 70

Still have an itch I need to scratch and really want a nice old Model 70. Can anyone give me a realistic value on a featherweight ('52 vintage) 308 that is at about 95%, completely original? Could hunt it as is but wouldn't mind just having the action (economically this may be foolish). Any thoughts on value?

If I understand it these guns are not a true short action, not sure if that matters and also note that the safety pushes to the left instead of the right. Think they changed this at some juncture.

Thanks.

From my not so educated position, I feel you should be able to do it for under $2000.00 but wont be able to for less than $1000.00. If you are not looking for the pristine collectible version you should just settle for a clean shooter. That is what most of mine are.

All pre-64 M-70's are on a long action. Featherweights have been increasing in price lately. I would think a first year production rifle in 95% condition would be $1500 to $1700.

What do you mean by first year? As an FYI the serial number is like 225000, does that sound right.

Rifle is under $1k, still a good buy?

The "strange" safeties predate the introduction of the .308. If a few ounces of extra weight is no concern, the long action in itself should be no detriment to accuracy. I have a couple of small ring Mausers that are longish and they are both tack drivers. In fact, I no longer can do them full justice, but twenty years ago..........jack

If I remember correctly, 1952 was the first year of Featherweight production.

If it is indeed 95% and aluminum butt plate; A STEAL

Don't pass up a good price on one with a pad.

I still wonder at the butt plates they put on centerfire rifles years ago. Those old M70's had very hard steel and aluminum butt plates with checkering!

The magnum 70's came with pads or at least the ones I have did.

I got a old Featherweight 308 a while ago that came with a pad.

I prefer it as the 'original' plate can't get damaged and it does not kick as hard.

Those old M70's in the regular, non magnum, calibers always seemed too heavy to me thus I never bought one.

If the serial number is 2250000, then it is a first-year featherweight. Blue Book doesn't even give an appraisal price, but notes that very few were made in .308 and cautions buyers to be on the lookout for fakes. If it is indeed a 95% original, "under $1,000" is indeed a "steal".

Update:

Butt plate says Winchester and is plastic, not original I assume?

It is first yr production featherweight.

Safety is not original, other than that it's clean and unaltered. Irons with front hood present. Wood and bluing are very good.

Question: can one find original safety? If so, where? Is this still a good value based on the above?

Thanks.

If it hasn't been refinished or "buggered up", for less than a grand you are in good shape! After "a lot" of rifles I have ended up with a pre 64 fwt 270, not all original(refinished stock and sights removed) but in good shape and perfect for a hunter like me. This one is not leaving til I do!

The stock isn't original with a plastic buttplate. I'd be curious to see if the serial # on the bolt matches the rifle.

Couldn't have someone just replaced the plate but stock still would be original? Maybe it's not a good deal after all.

The original aluminum buttplate would have been inletted into the top of the stock. The plastic ones were flat. If it's under a $1000, I wouldn't get too concerned about original. I'd be more concerned how it shoots. Some of those guns had really good barrels and properly bedded shoot very well. Do check the bolt serial number to make sure it's not a "parts" gun.

+1 on that. You'd be stupid not to buy a 95% first year fwt for that price ("less than $1,000.00"). I wouldn't sell mine for less than about $1,600.00..

Sounds like some idiot monkeyed with that one..

Buy it as a shooter, at a shooter price.

Highly doubt that it is original.

Pre-64s do not seem to be worth very much here in BC anymore, at least in the run of the mill chamberings.
At the Kamloops Gun Show last weekend I sold a 270 and a 30-06 both in very good condition, all original and wearing Burris glass for $ 1100.00 for the pair.
A Kelowna gun shop owner later said there has been absolutely no one coming into his shop looking for one for about 15 yrs.

Dang, I would have given you $1101 for them

Shaking my head, sick to my stomach...